📰 New Self-Declaration Rules for F&B Advertisers
From Mridutpal Bhattacharyya, Chief Policy Advisor
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued a new advisory that significantly changes the requirements for self-declaration certificates (SDCs) in advertising.
Here’s what you need to know:
What's New? 🆕
Limited Scope: The mandatory submission of SDCs is now limited to only the food and health sectors. This is a major shift from the previous requirement that applied to all sectors.
Annual Submission: Advertisers and advertising agencies in these sectors need to upload an annual self-declaration certificate rather than submitting one for each advertisement.
Designated Platforms:
TV and Radio Ads: Upload SDCs on the Broadcast Seva Portal.
Print and Digital Ads: Upload SDCs on the Press Council of India (PCI) Portal.
Why the Change? 🤔
This update follows a Supreme Court directive aimed at ensuring consumer protection, particularly in the food and health sectors. The court emphasized the need for a robust mechanism to prevent misleading advertisements, especially those impacting public health.
Industry Reaction 🌐
The advertising industry has welcomed this move, seeing it as a practical approach to regulatory compliance. It reduces the compliance burden on sectors outside food and health, allowing them to focus on creativity and innovation without the added administrative load.
Impact on Influencers 📲
While the advisory doesn’t specifically mention influencers, those promoting food and health products will need to ensure that the brands they collaborate with have submitted the necessary annual SDCs. This aligns with ongoing efforts to regulate influencer advertising and ensure transparency.
Key Takeaways 📝
Relief for Other Sectors: Advertisers in sectors other than food and health are no longer required to submit SDCs for their ads.
Focus on Compliance: Advertisers and agencies must ensure all ads comply with Indian laws, rules, and regulations.
Positive Industry Response: The move is seen as a step towards more focused and effective regulation.
Final Thoughts 💭
This update is a significant step in balancing regulatory requirements with industry needs. By focusing on sectors that directly impact public health, the MIB aims to protect consumers while easing the compliance burden on other industries.Stay tuned for more updates and ensure your advertising practices are in line with the latest guidelines!
